It all started in 2010 with $1000 and a trip to rural China.

After delivering newspapers for months, our founder, David James Wang, saved up $1000 for a new Gameboy and video games. That same year, he flew from Vancouver, Canada to rural China to spend time with family.

Everything changed when he stepped foot into a little school tucked away in a city called Xuzhou. Youth with disabilities at this school shared a common and heartbreaking narrative. Countless kids started off in the school as students, but their parents never picked them up once the semester ended.

“This hit me hard because my brother, who is two years younger than me, was also born with disabilities”, David said. “Throughout his entire life, my parents have given him extra love and as much attention as he needed so he can develop and grow into who he is today.”

Devastated by the history of the school and inspired by his younger brother, David took his $1000 and purchased school supplies and reading materials for the students.

“$1000 to me was games,” David remarked, “but it could mean a completely different future for all these kids. What more can we do?”

A year later, SDC was born.

Who We Are
SDC is a Canadian charity that empowers youth to empower children with disabilities. Founded and operated largely by young people in Vancouver, Canada, SDC recognizes the importance of teaching the younger generation about inclusivity, acceptance, and compassion at an early age.

Our Mission
Here at SDC, our mission is twofold:
To provide social learning programs for children of all abilities to bond on an interpersonal level, and To equip youth leaders with skills to educate their own communities about diversity and inclusion.

Our Vision
SDC is a family; we are a group of individuals who care and support each other. As a team, we operate with compassion and understanding to create a loving community that allows children with disabilities to develop the confidence to become whomever they aspire to be.

Taking Action
At the heart of SDC are our programs, each specifically designed to provide a safe environment for children of all abilities to learn and confidently express themselves while having fun. We offer the following creative therapy programs for allow children with disabilities:
Building Bridges with Music (BBM)
Education Through Creativity (ETC)
Melodies in Nature (MIN)

At SDC, we believe in the power of youth to make a difference, yet many lack the resources and training to do so with confidence. SDC strives to change this reality by hosting training workshops for youth to develop a social conscience at an early age. Our workshop curriculum covers disability justice, human rights, and fundamental skills to help youth become advocates and activists in their own communities.

As of 2020, our creative therapy programs have benefited the lives of over 200 children with disabilities and their respective families. We also have an outstanding team of 200 active youth volunteers that work tirelessly to organize events and share SDC’s story!

How Can You Take Part?
A little goes a long way. We rely on donations from individuals like you to power our social learning programs for youth with special needs. Your support, big or small, goes towards our programs and participants by improving accessibility with program subsidies for families in need of financial assistance, and providing better programs with hiring qualified instructors and giving complimentary refreshments.

Your contribution means the world to the thousands of children with disabilities in Canada. Donate now to help turn our vision of an inclusive community into a reality.